Development Manager

We are looking for an experienced Development Manager to lead the delivery of high-quality residential developments.

This is a commercially focused role for a development professional who can balance design quality, programme certainty and financial performance - driving projects from land acquisition through design, planning and into construction.

You will take ownership of complex schemes, lead multi-disciplinary teams, and work closely with local authorities, consultants and internal stakeholders to deliver developments that perform commercially and stand the test of time.

You are an accomplished Development or Project Manager with strong design and technical leadership, and a proven track record of delivering residential schemes within a corporate or consultancy environment. You bring end-to-end experience managing projects from land acquisition through design, planning and into build start, combining commercial awareness with a clear understanding of value engineering and cost drivers.

You are comfortable working across complex stakeholder environments, with experience engaging local authorities, statutory bodies, consultants and ideally joint venture or Housing Association partners to drive timely, commercially successful outcomes., As a Development Manager, you will provide the design and technical leadership that underpins project delivery, commercial performance, and smarter development decisions. Working within our flexible hybrid model, you will balance remote planning with on-site engagement, collaborating closely with Development, Commercial, Construction, Land, Planning, and Design teams to drive projects from land acquisition through to build start and first occupation.

What you will do:

You will lead end-to-end development and design management, ensuring projects are delivered on time, to budget, and to the highest quality. Using your commercial awareness and technical expertise, you will influence design decisions, manage consultants and multi-disciplinary teams, and engage proactively with planning authorities, statutory bodies, and key stakeholders. Through robust programme management, reporting, and clear communication, you will drive accountability, mitigate risks, and ensure smooth delivery from concept design to construction completion.

Do you have a valid Architects Registration Board Registration license?, Do you have experience in Project management?, You are highly organised, with excellent programme management, reporting and MS Project capability, and a clear, credible communication style that enables you to chair meetings, make decisions and maintain momentum in a fast-paced environment. Proactive, resilient and delivery-focused, you thrive under pressure. A degree in Architecture or a related discipline is desirable, along with professional accreditation (RIBA, ARB, CIAT, APM or similar), and a valid CSCS card is essential.

Pulled from the full job description

• Employee assistance programme
• Company pension
• Paid volunteer time
• Private medical insurance, * Competitive salary + discretionary annual bonus
• Company Car Allowance/Choice of Car
• Company Pension Scheme
• Life Assurance
• Professional Subscriptions paid for

Lifestyle/Health & Wellbeing:

• 24 days holiday (rising to 28 days) plus Bank Holidays
• Hybrid working
• 2 fully paid volunteering days per year (supported by the McCarthy Stone Foundation)
• Health benefits such as Private Healthcare; Remote GP, 24/7 access to EAP Services (including counsellors and legal advisors) and eyecare voucher
• Colleagues Benefit Booklet with a range of store offers discounts and promotions
• Family Friendly Policies, * Continuous Progression: Grow your development and project management expertise and capability in a national, hybrid environment.
• Variety Every Day: Balance hands-on site visits, stakeholder engagement, and negotiation.
• Supportive Culture: Collaborate across our Commercial, Construction, Development, Land, and Planning teams.
• Strong Benefits Package: Competitive salary, bonus, hybrid working, private healthcare, pension, volunteering days, and structured professional development.

Still interested? We build more than homes - we create places that enable people to live well. You will have the autonomy to lead, the scale to make an impact, and the backing of a market-leading business that values quality, integrity and performance. If you are ready to combine commercial delivery with genuine purpose, we would love to hear from you. As the UK's leading developer and manager of retirement communities, we provide high quality homes to exacting specifications. As of November 2021, McCarthy Stone operates 475 developments across the UK for more than 20,000 people. We believe in championing the role, wellbeing and happiness of older people in society. We help our customers have a better later life, so they feel more connected, recognised and valued than ever. In late 2020 we launched the McCarthy Stone Charitable Foundation to support local causes that help older people in need across Britain. We are proud to have been certified as a Great Place to Work 2022 as well as making the Great Place to Work Wellbeing list!